Edgar County board to send draft ordinance on '7-OH' to state's attorney for review

EDGAR COUNTY — Edgar County board members discussed a proposed local ordinance to restrict sales of a synthetic opioid referenced in an email as “7-OH” and directed staff to forward the draft to the county’s attorney for review.

The issue was raised when Speaker 6 read an email from Jonathan Burns that described the substance as a dangerous synthetic opioid (used in some retail products described as kratom extracts or enhancers) and urged a local ordinance. The email, as recited to the board, said the FDA recommended classifying the drug as a Schedule I controlled substance on 07/29/2025 and cited exposure increases in several states.

Board members’ concerns: members asked whether a county ordinance would apply only in unincorporated areas or countywide and who would enforce violations. "If we passed it, would that be countywide or only unincorporated?" Speaker 6 asked; other members suggested the county attorney should clarify enforcement and jurisdictional reach.

Actions taken: the board asked staff to circulate the attorney-reviewed draft ordinance and to have Phil (the state's attorney) review the materials. Speaker 5 offered to forward the most recent attorney-reviewed draft that Burns had circulated to the board.

Context and local steps: speakers noted other Illinois municipalities have acted — the email mentioned Rockford, East Peoria, Jerseyville, Alton and Edwardsville — and the board agreed that the county attorney should determine if local action is appropriate and whether county deputies would have authority to enforce an ordinance in unincorporated areas.

No vote was taken at the meeting; the board’s next step is a legal review and clarification of enforcement and geographic scope.